Unbelievable but true according to a study the vast majority of insurance customers have been with the same company for at least the last four years, and 38% of drivers have never shopped around. Drivers in Durham can save hundreds of dollars each year by just shopping around, but they don’t want to spend time to compare rate quotes.
It takes a little time, but the best way to get more affordable auto insurance rates is to start comparing prices regularly from insurers who can sell car insurance in Durham. Price quotes can be compared by following these guidelines.
- Learn about auto insurance and the factors you can control to drop your rates. Many rating factors that cause high rates such as at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and an imperfect credit history can be rectified by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article gives tips to get cheaper coverage and get bigger discounts that may have been overlooked.
- Request price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only provide price estimates from a single company like Progressive and State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote prices from multiple sources.
- Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy and determine if there is any savings. If you can save some money and buy the policy, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
- Provide notification to your current company to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit the completed application along with a down payment to the new company. Immediately place the new proof of insurance paperwork above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
One tip to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote request and and to get prices from as many auto insurance providers as possible. This helps ensure the most accurate price comparison and the best price selection.
When comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing a wide range of rates increases the chance that you will find a better price.
The following companies have been selected to offer comparison quotes in North Carolina. To find the best cheap auto insurance in Durham, it’s highly recommended you visit two to three different companies to get a more complete price comparison.
Lincoln Continental Insurance Prices Can Be Cheaper
Many different elements are taken into consideration when you get a price on insurance. Most are fairly basic such as your driving record, but other criteria are less apparent such as your marital status or your commute time.
Liability coverage – Liability insurance will provide protection if you are found liable for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. Your liability coverage provides legal defense coverage to attempt to prove you were not liable. It is affordable coverage as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
More performance means more cost – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in how high your rates are. Lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles usually have the lowest premiums, but that’s not the only thing that factors into the final price.
Extra coverages are wasting money – There are many extra bells and whistles you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Add-on coverages like roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, and membership fees may be wasting your money. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so remove them from your policy.
Single drivers take more risk – Having a significant other may save some money when buying auto insurance. It translates into being more mature than a single person and statistics prove being married results in fewer claims.
Driving citations can be expensive – Attentive drivers have lower premiums as compared to those with violations. Even a single chargeable violation may increase your cost forty percent or more. People who have careless violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state’s licensing department in order to keep their license.
Higher deductibles are cheaper – Physical damage insurance, also called ‘full coverage’, is used to repair damage to your vehicle. Some examples of covered claims would be a broken windshield, hitting a deer, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles you choose define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more expense you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the lower your rates will be.
Vehicle features can affect rates – Selecting a car model that has a built-in theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Systems that thwart thieves like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems help track and prevent auto theft and help lower rates.
Three main reasons to buy auto insurance
Despite the high cost, insuring your vehicle is required by state law in North Carolina and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
First, just about all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means the state requires specific minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage in order to drive the car legally. In North Carolina these limits are 30/60/25 which means you must have $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $60,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if you have a loan on your vehicle, it’s most likely the lender will require that you buy insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Lincoln at a much higher rate and force you to pay the higher price.
Third, insurance protects both your car and your personal assets. Insurance will also pay for medical bills for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay for a defense attorney in the event you are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, particularly when you have a large claim. Unknowingly, the average driver is overpaying over $865 each year so compare rates once a year at a minimum to help ensure money is not being wasted.
What is the best auto insurance company in Durham?
Ending up with the right auto insurance provider can be rather challenging considering how many companies there are to choose from in Durham. The ranking information below could help you select which insurers you want to consider purchasing a policy from.
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value
- Travelers
- American Family
- AAA Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- The Hartford
- The General
- 21st Century
- Esurance
- Titan Insurance
Top 10 Durham Car Insurance Companies Overall
- Travelers
- USAA
- AAA Insurance
- Nationwide
- Allstate
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- Safeco Insurance
- Progressive
- American Family